The consequences are dire

Helpful Volleyball Tip #83: A "Back 3" set is designed to go to the Weak-Side hitter, not the Middle Blocker.


Usually, you only use 83 when making up statistics.


Well, 57 didn't seem appropriate here, so I just went with it.


So tell me about this Back 3


Well, when playing organized volleyball, the attackers are positioned across the front row. The player farthest to the left (when facing the net) it called the "Outside Hitter", the player on the right is the "Weak Side" or "Opposite", and the player in the middle is called the "Middle Blocker." The setter generally positions himself between the Middle Blocker and the Opposite, facing the Middle Blocker, and has a variety of options at his disposal. He can set the Middle directly in front of him, set higher and farther to the Outside Hitter, or he can set slightly behind him to the Opposite.

Sets come in various heights, and there really is no universal naming convention, so we tend to keep things simple. A "One" is a very low, quick set to the Middle, a "Two" is a moderately low set that can either be played by the Middle, or the Outside, depending on the play that is called. A "Three" is a medium-high set to one of the Outer Positions (Outside or Opposite, depending on direction), and a "Four" is a high set to the Outside.


Seems like a remarkably simple system with only four numbers. How can somebody screw this up? Must be a real chump.


Well, what happens on occasion is an overzealous Middle Blocker will decide that everything is being set to them regardless of height or location. In this circumstance, a Back-3 (A Three to the Opposite) is mistaken for a Two and the Middle will go out of his way to try to play it. Only problem is that the Opposite is right there already playing the ball and the resulting collision can be quite painful, I would imagine. I guess it could result in a bruised eye for one player and a sore elbow for the other. Either way, we end up losing the point. So...kids...play your positions.


Were you the bruised eye or sore elbow?


Actually neither...I was the setter...I only got a front-row seat for all the fun.